Jim Schwartz is a favorite in Cleveland's head coaching search. But one prominent ESPN insider believes the Browns already blew their chance. Tony Grossi says Schwartz has no shot at the top job, and he knows why.

In their search for a new head coach, the Browns interviewed their unit coordinators, along with some external candidates. While Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator, was favored heavily by some Browns insiders, NFL analyst Tony Grossi believes that he doesn’t stand a chance.

In his appearance on The Tony Rizzo Show, the host joked about how much Grossi favors Schwartz. To which Grossi replied, saying that the Browns have mismanaged Schwartz. 

He also said that they missed the opportunity to judge Schwartz’s capabilities by giving him a chance to fill in Kevin Stefanski’s shoes, temporarily. 

“For this team. First of all, I don’t think he’s going to be the coach. He would’ve been the interim. That was the way to do it, they blew that ok, and there wouldn’t have been any mis- I don’t know if he’s gonna be better the second time around,” he began.

The defensive coordinator rejoined the Browns in 2023 after his brief stint as a scout from 1993-95. In his three years with the franchise, Schwartz has made his unit one of the best in the league. 

The Browns’ defense is ranked third overall for 283.6 total yards per game and fourth for allowing only 167.2 passing yards per game. Schwartz has contributed to the impeccable run of defensive end Myles Garrett.

In 2025, he surpassed the most sacks in a season by a player record and was ranked No. 7 in the NFL's best 100 players countdown. 

“The odds are he won’t. When you’re away from the head coaching job for 10 years or more years, odds are you’re not gonna win.”

On Tuesday, after the Browns informed about wrapping up their second interview with Schwartz, in an X post, Grossi reacted by saying, “Oh, to be a fly on the wall.” 

While he is convinced that nothing will come out of the second interview, another Browns insider, Mary Kay Cabot has other thoughts.

Jim Schwartz's Interview is Important says Cabot

She believes that the interview was conducted to assess how Schwartz would fare under a new head coach.

“Part of Schwartz’s interview on Monday was to help determine how he might fit with other candidates as a defensive coordinator if he doesn't get promoted. Ideally, the Browns would probably love to pair him with one of the younger candidates, and perhaps give him the added title of assistant head coach,” she said.

The Browns have yet to announce a decision. Meanwhile, Stefanski has been made the Falcons’ head coach. As they get past two underwhelming seasons, the Browns are under huge pressure to find a coach who can fix the offense and avoid any friction within the team.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu